What held China together?
1. The role of Kinship and Confucianism in maintaining social order and hierarchy
2. The role of civil servants/scholars in maintaining a stable political and economic systems
3. The political order established by the various dynasties that ruled China
1. Kinship and Confucianism
Kinship in China: Traditional importance of loyalty to extended family ties
Confucianism: teachings of Confucius stress social harmony above individual gain.
2. Civil servants/scholars
Imperial examination beginning in 650CE
Tested literacy, knowledge of Confucianism and mathematics
Those who passed exam could gain a job in the government (no matter what class)
Civil servants (government workers) stationed outside their home districts
Created an effective bureaucratic system that did not have military or financial power.
3. Order created by ruling Dynasties
“Mandate of Heaven”
- belief that gods endorse the rule of dynasties
- disasters may indicate gods are displeased
1. The role of Kinship and Confucianism in maintaining social order and hierarchy
2. The role of civil servants/scholars in maintaining a stable political and economic systems
3. The political order established by the various dynasties that ruled China
1. Kinship and Confucianism
Kinship in China: Traditional importance of loyalty to extended family ties
Confucianism: teachings of Confucius stress social harmony above individual gain.
2. Civil servants/scholars
Imperial examination beginning in 650CE
Tested literacy, knowledge of Confucianism and mathematics
Those who passed exam could gain a job in the government (no matter what class)
Civil servants (government workers) stationed outside their home districts
Created an effective bureaucratic system that did not have military or financial power.
3. Order created by ruling Dynasties
“Mandate of Heaven”
- belief that gods endorse the rule of dynasties
- disasters may indicate gods are displeased